EVALUATION OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THEIR DRIVING ABILITY

Ability to drive an automobile was evaluated in 16 patients with well compensated liver cirrhosis. Four tests were performed, namely the eme rgency reaction test, the continuous emergency reaction test, the sign al confirmation test and the accelerator reaction test. Test scores we re compared to those of a group of age-matched healthy volunteers. 31% of patients were found to be unfit to drive. Alcoholic cirrhotics far ed as poorly as nonalcoholic cirrhotics. In patients with subclinical hepatic encephalopathy (defined by neuropsychologic testing), 44% were unfit to drive. Routine testing of cirrhotic patients for ability to drive could have a major impact on motor vehicle accident rates.